Current Trends in Treatment Outcomes of Orbital Cellulitis in a Tertiary Hospital in Southern Nigeria

Orbital cellulitis refers to the inflammation or infection of the soft tissues of the orbit located behind the orbital septum.

To determine the current trends in the outcomes following the management of orbital cellulitis in a tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria.

A retrospective review of medical records of patients with orbital cellulitis from January 2008 to December 2014 was conducted. The age, sex, duration of symptoms, predisposing factors, clinical findings, laboratory/radiological investigations, treatment provided, complications, and follow-up were recorded. Results were analyzed with SPSS Version 21 program.

Forty-two patients were seen made of 17 (40.5%) males and 25 (59.5%) females with a mean age of 18.2 ± 18.7 years of which children <16 years constituted 24 (57.1%) of cases. Orbital cellulitis was a unilateral occurrence in 38 (90.5%) patients. Trauma and sinusitis were the common predisposing causes in 20 (47.6%) and 6 (14.3%) patients, respectively. The most common complaint was eye swelling 36 (52.9%). Most patients had visual acuities of >6/18 at presentation, 38 (82.6%) and at discharge, 39 (84.8%). The mean duration of presenting complaints was 15.5 ± 31.6 days. Patients who presented early were less likely to develop complications, P = 0.003. The most common complication was exposure keratopathy in 8 (44.4%) eyes. The only surgical intervention performed was incision and drainage of abscess in 3 (7.1%) eyes. No patient came for follow-up.

Prompt institution of effective antibiotics and management of complications that may arise improves prognosis of orbital cellulitis.